March 20, 2007
     
Inside this issue
 
     

6301 Antioch
Merriam, KS 66202
913-722-6633


 

BISHOPS OF KANSAS SPEAK OUT ON STEM CELL RESEARCH

  
  Archbishop Naumann (Kansas City)Bishop Gilmore (Dodge City)Bishop Coakley (Salina)Bishop Jackels (Wichita)

A major educational effort is now underway across the State of Kansas to help Catholics understand the differences between "adult" stem cell research and "embryonic" stem cell research as well as the implications of human cloning.

It is imperative that every Catholic understands these issues as there is a tremendous effort underway by the large bio-tech industry to make sure that nothing in Kansas law would prohibit scientific researchers from doing whatever they desire while using our taxpayer dollars to fund their experiments.


Our Bishops have released a joint pastoral letter: "The exorbitant price of embryonic stem cell research." This letter was printed in each of the four diocesan papers and copies were distributed to every parish in the State. On-line copies are available by clicking on one of the following links:

On-Line Viewing (English)
Pastoral Letter  On-Line Viewing (English) 
    


On-Line Viewing (Spanish)
Pastoral Letter  On-Line Viewing (Spanish)



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Pastoral Letter  Print Back-to-Back (English)



Print Back-to-Back (Spanish)
Pastoral Letter  Print Back-to-Back (Spanish)



The Kansas Catholic Conference has also developed an educational video for the purpose of impressing upon people that there is a difference between adult and embryonic stem cell research. The video also makes it clear that embryonic stem cell research is bad science -- not just from an ethical and moral perspective, but from a practical standpoint as well.

A copy of the video was given to all 165 Kansas' legislators and a copy was sent by the Bishops to every pastor in Kansas to be shown to all parishioners. Copies were also distributed to every Knights of Columbus Council in Kansas.

To view this 12-1/2 minute video on-line just click on the following link:

VIDEO: The Science of Stem Cells -- Finding Cures AND Protecting Life


NOW PLEASE TAKE ACTION

A massive statewide postcard campaign has been undertaken to convince our Governor and Legislators that we want action taken to ensure that only ethical research is done in Kansas. There are 2 bills awaiting a vote in the Kansas House that should be passed and signed into law by the Governor. 

H.B. 2098 is about definitions, the defining of certain terms relating to human cloning and embryonic stem cell research (ESCR).  This bill incorporates the definitions from the 2002 National President's Council on Bioethics and would serve both supporters and opponents in the debate on human cloning and ESCR. Debate on these issues would be nearly impossible if there wasn't a common understanding of the definition of the words that are used.

Another bill, H.B. 2255, would prevent state tax dollars from being used to create cloned human embryos. Currently in most states, including Kansas, there are no restrictions with regard to human cloning.

Postcards have been printed and sent to every pastor of every parish in Kansas. The Bishops are requesting that every Catholic of voting age fill out, sign and send in their postcard to the Kansas Catholic Conference. We in turn will make sure that a copy of your postcard is delivered to the Governor, your State Senator and your State Representative asking that they support these 2 bills.

  

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BUDGETARY CHALLENGES

  
 

The Kansas Legislature is striving to find the right balance between tax cuts and spending priorities. The Kansas economy has been growing and the State has been collecting more revenues but there are many challenges to adequately fund existing programs and future obligations.

Our economy is built primarily on agriculture, aviation and the oil & gas industry, all of which are susceptible to great economic swings. Several tax cuts were enacted in Kansas in the late 1990's and then the economy hit very tough times with the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Very difficult budget choices had to be made.

Over the past few years, Kansas' lawmakers have relied on issuing bonds for transportation, state building projects and shoring up the retirement fund for state employees. The payments for these bonds will continue for several years. A new three year public education plan was passed last year that mandates increased funding.

Tax reduction proposals have passed the Kansas House of Representatives that would eliminate the corporate franchise tax, reduce corporate income tax rates, eliminate taxation on social security benefits, increase the earned income tax credit for low-income working families and expand the homestead property tax refund. Proponents of these tax cuts insist that lower taxes will generate more economic development in Kansas that in turn will produce more tax receipts for the State.

The Kansas Senate has decided to wait on any major tax cuts for now until the full budget picture is clarified. The Legislature will break on April 3 and return on April 25 for the wrap-up session. On April 16, a new revenue projection for the State for the next 18 months will be developed. This new estimate will be factored in as the budget debate starts up on April 25.

The budget picture in Kansas looks very good for 2008 but less so in 2009 and 2010 as future obligations such as bond payments and higher health costs must be funded. With certain tax cuts a possibility and higher education spending locked in, the future of key social service programs for the disabled, the mentally ill, medical care for children and community services for the elderly will be in serious jeopardy if economic growth does not stay robust.

  

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